Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-15
THREE CENTS PER COPY.

| wished for other reasons 70 read these pa
pers while the prisoner was yet alive VIII
be too evident TO the public TO render any
explanation necessary. Possibly ought to
add that Mr.. Pitt and myself did with un-
sparing faithfulness again and again urge
him not 10 put one word In that
book that he would not be willing to meet
when he should come TO stand IN the clear
| light OF eternity before the bar OF God. The
statements OF that book purporting to be
his / fully believe TO be bis, originally and
absolutely, and through those statements,
In no small degree, sought TO find access
TO the deepest secrets OF his soul. After
the story was written, and when II was
about 10 pass beyond his reach, called him
to pause and consider whether he could
commit il to the public, and as dying man
assume the full responsibility for all its
statements. This he did without one qu,ver
i'm his voice or one tremor in any muscle OK
his face.
GUILT OR INNOCENCE.
Reporter: Were your interviews with
the prisoner absolutely privateS
DR.. Hatcher: For awhile they were not,
but at my suggestion Judge Atkins kindly
issued an order that when entered the
cell the death-watch should retire. After
that always saw him alone, except once
or twice happened to be there either with
his aunt or brother, and occasionally ltook
other persons with me.
Reporter: Did you treat the prisoner as
an innocent or a guilty man when talking
with him about the welfare OF his soulr
DIR. Hatcher: The statement may sur
prise many, but IL Is literally true that up
| to this moment have never expressed 10
any person a decided opinion as TO the
prisoners innocence or guilt.
Reporter: Then how could you talk to
| himy What did you sayl lt seems TO me
that your lack OF o full conviction as TO his
character must have embarrassed YOU.
DIR. Hatcher Not in the least. After he
received his reprieve iu December felt 1t
my duty to say several things TO him. This
| did with almost cruel clndor. For one
| thing, told him that the last act in his sad
career was drawing 10 a speedy aud iuevi-
table end; that nothing else could be done
for hlm, and that il would be we'll
nigh sinful for him to befool himself
with the hope OF any further delay
| in his execution, and begged him to dis.
| sever himself from every earthly thing and
TO prepare to enter that eternity which was
| at band. | told him that | did not know
whether he was innocent or guilty, aud
| ndu never tAlltNstu ,tu Ou NhhA 'Ap-
| lect, but that with him 1t was simple
question. He knew whether he was inno-
cent or not lie could not baye posi-
| BILE doubt on that subject. | told him that
II he was innocent OF the alleged murder
| that innocence could not save him, but
| that II he lcuS innocent he might well re-
ioice in the fact. Human law, said, Is
| imperfect, and mistakes are sometimes
made in its administration. While | adj
mitted that 1t was bitter thing 10 die un-
| In tly, insisted that there was no merit
| in such death. and one might be iudicially
| murdered and vet be condemned at
the bar of God for lack Of faith
| in Christ, the son OF the living
God. urged him IL he were
innocent TO prepare for the eternal
| stale-not to trust in the sense OF his innO-
cence in this particular case TO save him,
but TO scan well the rock upon which ne
| stood, and be sure beyond all mistake that
it was the Rock Of Ages. But, said TO
him, the evidence against you Is very
strong. You have stood before three Fri"
bunals and they have all practically pro-
nOunced you guilty-guilty OF seduction.
falsehood, and double murder. Now,
said /, il you are guilty your guilt Is terri
BILE, and what have to say to you Is that
| 4
dare not go TO the judgment bar with your
unconfessed guilt upon you with any hope
OF finding mercy. reminded him that he
must not expect, after committing so dead.
ly sin and locking II up with repeated de-
nial to find favor in the eyes. OF an all-wise
and just Judge.
As TO CONFESSION.
Reporter; That was pretty solemn talk
l Nka .lr. La a..
make a confesslOnl
DR.. Hatcher: My notions about the con-
fession OF sin as a religious duty are very
clear, and, perhaps, somewhat peculiar. |
was very careful not TO mislead him as to
the nature. value. and necessity OF a con-
iessiOn OF sin. On the one hand, ! did
seek faithfully to impress upon him that
there could not be salvation without con-
fessiOn, and that this was true In his case.
He had denied that he was a murderer,
and, il guilty, he had made covenant with
his own SINS and had sought TO deceive the
law and the people. told him there could
be no mercy for one in that state OF mind
without confession. On tine other hand,
il seemed equally necessary TO guard him
from supposing that all that was necessary
to put him right with God was a confes-
sion. made no startling appeals TO bis fears,
and had no wish, IL had had the power,
10 scare him into mechanical confession.
| sought to show him that q confession, II
real and acceptable before God, was only
the outward voice OF an inward repent
ance; that he who saw his guilt and so
deeply amented 1t that he was constrained
to confess it openly and without reserve
might hope to find forgiveness through the
merits Of Christ's blood. / gave him as
| simply as | could my reasons for insisting
that be, II guilty, should make public
confession that would cover the whole ter.
ritory Of mis- guilt.
FAMILY CONFERENCE.
Reporter: Was that all.
DIR. Hatcher: | am glad you asked me.
1t affords me an opportunity Of making an
other statement which the public ought TO
have. The same day on which | had this
interview with the prisoner | sought con-
ference with representative OF his family,
aud now give you the substance OF whit
/ said:
- om the spiritual adviser OF your kins-
man, who is condemned 10 death. Whether
he Is innocent or guilty know not. II he
is innocent, then | have nothing 10 say eX-
cept to express a sympathy none the less
| profound because unayailing. But, II he Is
| Bullll, tUtu L WISH W huON bIdl
| maintain that It is his duty to confess the
crime and that | fully intend 70 urge il
upon him. Now | wish 10 know the atti-
tude that the family will assume in this
matter. II will not be without It's adyan.
tages to them for him to die with a denial
upon bis lips. 1t may help their reputa.
iiOn, but 1t will be at the expense OF his
soul. Am TO have the thorough support
Of the family in my attempt 10 lead him to
a confession, or will they get In my wayy"
This, you will admit, was severe and
painful talk, to me, at least.
Reporter You were certainly cutting to
the core OF the question. Did you ever get
any replyI
DIR. Hatcher: Yes; and very promptly.
Here it Is: ~We believe that Tommie Is
innocent. We have not one doubt on that
question. Not one OF us believes that he
is murderer. And yet we do not ka0o.
But on one point we are all agreed--if he
| Is guilty in uh0Ie or IN part ne rant him 10
confess II, aud we ask you 10 deal faithfully
with him. AS for our reputation, let that
| perish, but let bis soul be saved"
Reporter: Wasn't that satisfactory to
your Did that seem 10 be the course pur.
| sued by the family to the last?
DR.. Hatcher: | could not have asked
| more. and have no reason 10 suspect that
any pressure was brought 10 bear upon him
| from any direction 10 prevent a confession.
/ Reporter: Did you ever tell Cluyerius OF
Il - a Il. a